In this blog, you’ll learn: 

• Why Garden Beds Are So Amazing (& Customizable)
• How To Install Your Raised Garden Bed 
• 5 Benefits Of Using Raised Garden Beds

Visit our website to learn more about Raised Garden Beds and how to care for and maintain your plants and gardens

Raised Garden Beds Come In Different Shapes, Sizes, & Materials 

Raised Garden Beds are most typically made from Wood, Metal, Plastic, or Composite. Because you can build them wherever you choose, a raised bed garden can give you more control over how much sunlight your plants receive. The soil in a raised garden bed is also higher than the surrounding ground, which means it drains better and is less likely to be compacted. 

If you love gardening but don't have a lot of space, raised garden beds are a great solution. They're also perfect for people with back or knee problems because you don't have to bend over as much. You can grow a variety of vegetables, herbs, and flowers in raised garden beds. And, if you live in an area with a mild climate, you can plant all year round. 

How To Install Your Raised Garden Bed 

Installing your Raised Garden Bed is super easy due to the wide availability of materials and ready-made kits that make the job straightforward. Finding the correct mulch and lining is also easy as most gardening stores and sections carry this type of material, and the costs are usually negligible. 

The steps to installing your raised garden bed may differ depending on the type of kit or materials you plan to use (and plants or crops you plan on seeding) but here are the general steps to installing your garden bed: 

5 Benefits Of Using Raised Garden Beds

If you're looking for a way to spruce up your yard and make gardening easier, you may want to consider raised garden beds. Raised garden beds have many benefits over traditional gardening, including improved drainage, easier weed control, and increased accessibility. 

#1: You Can Control Weeds Easily

If you’re looking for an easier way to control weeds in your garden, raised garden beds may be the solution for you. Raised garden beds offer many benefits over traditional gardening, including easier weed control. 

With raised garden beds, you can create a barrier between the soil and the weeds, making it difficult for them to take root. You can also add mulch to the top of the soil to further prevent weeds from growing. 

#2: Enhanced Soil Enrichment

Enriching the soil is vital for any gardening, but it is especially important for raised garden beds. The soil in raised garden beds can become depleted quickly because of the lack of organic matter and nutrients. 

Adding compost to the soil is one way to enrich it. You can also add other organic materials, such as leaves, grass clippings, and manure. These materials will help to improve the soil structure, drainage, and aeration. In addition, they will provide essential nutrients for your plants.

#3: Less Soil Compaction 

Soil compaction is a common problem in gardens, especially if you have heavy foot traffic or live in an urban area. Compacted soil can lead to many problems, including poor drainage, reduced root growth, and decreased plant productivity. 

If you're looking for a way to reduce soil compaction in your garden, raised garden beds are a great option. Raised garden beds cause less soil compaction because they allow air and water to circulate more freely around the roots of plants. This results in healthier plants and a more productive garden.

#4: Spring Planting Is Easier Due To Raised Garden Beds

If you’re looking for an easier way to garden this spring, consider raised garden beds. Raised garden beds are a great solution for several gardening challenges, from difficult soil to pests and weeds. They’re also a great way to garden if you have limited space.

#5: Extend Your Growing Season With Raised Garden Beds 

If you’re looking to extend your growing season, raised garden beds are a great option. Raised garden beds offer you the ability to grow no matter which season you’re deciding on planting your favorite plants or crops. Raised garden beds are also ideal for small spaces and can be used to grow a variety of vegetables, herbs, and flowers. They are also a great option for gardeners who have trouble bending or kneeling. 

Extra Tip: You May Also Choose To Plant In a Raised Planter Box or a Garden Planter

If you're looking for an easy way to add some color and life to your outdoor space, consider planting in a raised planter box or garden planter. This type of gardening is a great way to get started with gardening, as it doesn't require a lot of space or equipment. Plus, it's a great way to add some curb appeal to your home. 

consarcpowercables Carries An Extensive Collection of Raised Garden Bed Kits

At consarcpowercables, we make it easy to build a raised bed garden! Growing your own plants, vegetables, or flowers in your garden is a fun activity that the whole family can get involved in. Whether you already have a passion for growing your own or want to involve your kids in a fun and fulfilling hobby, it's easy to set up your raised garden bed and start growing a whole host of interesting plants.

Our newly released 'Roundabout' 10' x 10' Raised Garden Bed is perfect for garden enthusiasts who love to grow their own food. This garden bed was specifically designed for vertical growing, which means that you can grow more in less space. Your raised bed garden can grow anything from herbs and flowers to fresh vegetables that you can use to cook your evening meal.

Your kit comes with everything you need for simple installation. Browse our many designs to find the perfect raised garden bed for your space!

Shop Our Raised Garden Bed Kits Today

Planting your vegetables and crops in the wrong kind of greenhouse can spell disaster come springtime. Choosing which type of greenhouse to use is one of the most important choices crop farmers or home gardeners can make. A cold frame is a type of greenhouse that is typically used to protect plants from cold weather. 

In this blog you’ll learn: 

• Why greenhouses work best for gardening in any season
• Which greenhouses work for which plants 
• Why cold frame greenhouses work best for home gardens
• How consarcpowercables can help you plant and grow the best crops with your expandable cold frame greenhouse

What is a Greenhouse? 

A greenhouse is a great option for gardeners who want to extend the growing season or grow plants that are not typically possible in their climate. Greenhouses provide a controlled environment that can be customized to the specific needs of the plants being grown. 

By trapping heat and humidity inside the greenhouse, gardeners can create the perfect conditions for their plants to thrive. Greenhouses can be small enough to fit on a deck or patio, or large enough to accommodate an entire garden. No matter the size, a greenhouse is a great way to get the most out of your gardening effort.

Greenhouses provide a controlled environment for:

• Plants
• protecting crops and plants from too much heat, cold, light, or wind
• Give your vegetables and plants a protected area to grow undisturbed no matter the temperature or weather conditions 

What is a Cold Frame?

A cold frame is a simple enclosure that helps to protect plants from cold weather. It can be made out of wood, metal, or plastic, and usually has a transparent top. Cold frames are often used to start plants early in the spring or to extend the growing season into the fall and winter. 

A cold frame is a great way to get a jump on the growing season or to extend it. They are simple to build and can be made out of a variety of materials. Be sure to choose a transparent material for the top so that your plants will get the sunlight they need.

Extendable Cold Frame Greenhouses 

A cold frame typically has a clear or translucent top that allows sunlight to enter, and a bottom that is made of insulating material to keep the heat in. An extendable cold frame is a cold frame that can be extended to accommodate more plants. An extendable cold frame greenhouse is a great way to get a head start on your gardening season. 

By starting your plants in a cold frame, you can get a jump on the growing season and have your plants ready to go when the weather warms up. Extendable cold frames are also great for protecting delicate plants from frost or freeze damage.

Similarities Between Greenhouses and Cold Frame 

There are many similarities between greenhouses and cold frames, but the most notable similarity is that they both provide a controlled environment for plants. A traditional greenhouse is typically taller and thus can house larger plants. A big trade-off, however, is that because of this increased height, a traditional greenhouse does not hold heat as well, and you would therefore need to have a heating element in addition to the solar energy that it traps. 

Cold frames are typically made of wood or metal, and they use the ground to provide insulation, creating a cool environment for plants to grow. Due to their low height, the solar energy alone is enough to provide the heat that your plants need to survive during times of frost. Both traditional greenhouses and cold frame greenhouses can be used to extend the growing season for plants, and they can also be used to protect plants from extreme weather conditions.

If you want to see the Extendable Cold Frame Greenhouse consarcpowercables carries, visit our website. 

Differences Between An Extendable Cold Frame Greenhouse & A Regular Greenhouse

There are several key differences between an extendable cold frame greenhouse and a traditional one. For starters, an extendable cold frame greenhouse is designed to be used in colder climates and can be extended to accommodate taller plants. 

Additionally, the frame of an extendable cold frame greenhouse is typically made of aluminum or steel, which makes it more durable than a traditional greenhouse. 

Ensure Your Crops Grow Best With consarcpowercables’s Extendable Cold Frame Greenhouse

consarcpowercables Extendable Cold Frame Greenhouse measures 4ft. x 4ft. and stands 36in. high at its peak. Multiple units can be zippered together end-to-end, to create a continuous row of coverage.

The zippered windows allow easy access for tending to your plants and controlling temperature and humidity. The powder-coated steel frame will not rust or corrode, and the heavy-duty PVC cover will stand up to heavy wind or inclement weather. 

Purchase Your Cold Frame Greenhouse Today

One thing that really surprised me this season was the number of people that told me what a great year for all butterflies in general, including monarchs. It seemed that at every one of my lectures people went out of their way to tell me what success they have been having in the gardens. And there were countless e-mails to support their observations. Recently I was asked to do a magazine interview that included lepidopterist from around the country and everyone agreed, it was an awesome year for butterflies.

If you have been using your Monarch Migration Station, then you probably have caterpillars out the wazoo. The hardy little devils in Figure# 2 are bound for after school programs where the students will tag and release the adults and track them throughout the winter. This summer MMS actually protected my caterpillars from the harsh summer sun and encourage them to grow amazingly fast. Last summer it kept my cats from drowning in the never-ending rains.

Figure #2: Monarch on Butterfly Bush. reduced

Now my butterfly bushes are usually the work horses in my garden for attracting butterflies but this year the shining star was Phlox. I always try to encourage people to plant more late blooming flowers to address the migrating monarchs. It is at this time of year that they must build up their lipid reserves which they derive from nectar. It is this stored energy that they will need not only to make the flight but to help them make it through the winter as well. Phlox are favored by all butterflies even the overwintering Mourning Cloak in Figure 3 and 4.

Figure #3: Phlox. reduced

Figure #4: Mourning Cloak on Phlox reduced

So, this winter while you are planning your garden for 2020 please remember to get your milkweed in early and make a point of including more later blooming flowers.

By now your Monarch Migration Station should be looking like a mini jungle with a combination of host and nectar plants. With your caterpillars protect from parasites, predators and too much rain they should be thriving. If you do have caterpillars in you charge there are some things that you need to remember! First of all, it is tick and flea season. If you treat your dogs and cats with topical medications always wash your hands thoroughly before handling eggs, cats, chrysalis or adults. The compound in the medication it is deadly to your caterpillars. In fact, you should wash your hand whenever you work with livestock in order not infect your larvae with anything that you may have picked up along the way. You probably never thought of it but your cell phone is probably harboring more germs than on your toilet seat at home. Think about how many places you put your phone down on to during the course of a day. No 5 second rule applies here because those containments transfer themselves quite quickly. Let’s say you treat your dog for fleas, and then made a phone call. You washed you hands and made another phone call and BAM you are infected again. Perhaps you didn’t use your phone but turned the same doorknob to get outside to your Monarch Station as you used when treating your dog. Bam youre infected again.

Another disaster to be on the watch for is if your neighbor has their lawns treated by a professional company. Guess what, they are spraying insecticides usually Bacillus thuringiensis that can easily drift on the wind into your garden or Migration Station. Bacillus thuringiensis is a naturally occurring soil bacterium disease that is fatal to the larva stage of certain insects. There are a number of strains of Bt, but the most commonly used are Btk, the kurstaki strain and Bti, the israelensis strain. Also be careful of what you are using around your garden. If mosquitoes are a problem for you because you have standing water such as a bird bath you can safely use any product the contains Bti but not the bad Btk strain. Bti will not harm your adult butterflies.

If you have chrysalis you should be misting them with a spray bottle from time to time. In the past if you ever had a problem with a butterfly not quite emerging fully or emerging with wrinkled wings most likely the problem was dehydration. So mist them often and always use bottled water because you never know what is coming out of your tap at home.

When feeding caterpillar please keep in mind that if you are ever using fresh cut milkweed you must be very careful of the white latex that drips from a pulled leaf or cut stem. If you come into contact with it NEVER get it near your eyes because it can actually burn your corneas. It is a very painful ordeal and you may end up sitting out the rest of your summer vacation with your eyes bandaged. So please always wear gloves when cutting milkweed and take extra precaution not to get it near your eyes.

Now, if you are fortunate enough to have extra plants and do not need to cut more plants you will eventually need to move your caterpillars to the newer ones. Never move or disturb a caterpillar that is motionless. In order to grow caterpillars need to shed their skin, or exoskeleton, several times during life as a larva. To do this they move away from the hustle and bustle of the plant and off to the side where they will lay dormant for a few hours to a day. This allows the old skin to split open and expose the newer more flexible skin. If you move a caterpillar while it is shedding you will harm it and probably cause it to die. However, if your caterpillar is moving about in search of food you may need to move your cat to a new plant. The best way of doing this is by using a small artist brush to do so. I prefer a #2 sable. Simply place the tip of the brush near the caterpillars head. Then while rotating the brush tip in a circular motion away from the caterpillar try to slide the tip underneath the caterpillars abdomen . This action will cause the caterpillar to roll up and onto the brush tip. Transport it to the new leaf and reverse the motion by rotating the brush tip towards the new leaf and roll your caterpillar forward and onto the new leaf. It doesn’t take much practice to become proficient with this technique. 

I am going to share with you a secret breeders tip that you must promise to keep to yourself. If you are doing so good with your hungry, hungry caterpillars that you ran out of milkweed you have another resource, Butternut Squash. You read correctly Butternut Squash! You don’t use the leaves of the squash but the fleshy pulp. Take the squash and cut it open. Then scrape several thin slices with a vegetable peeler. Place the slices next to your caterpillars and they will hop right on to them. The squash will take to full term and into chrysalis. Remember that is a professional secret so keep it hush hush and just between us.